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Mizuhiki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mizuhiki on an envelope — this photo shows gold and silver kekkon mizuhiki adorning a shūgi-bukuro, commonly given as a gift at weddings.

Mizuhiki (水引, lit.'water-pull') is an ancient Japanese artform of knot-tying, most commonly used to decorate envelopes, called kinpū, which are given as gifts during holidays like Japanese New Year (and are then called otoshidama) or for special occasions such as births and weddings (shūgi-bukuro) or funerals (kōden-bukuro).[1][2] The colour of the cord depends on the occasion, or may signify the religious denomination of the giver at funerals.[3]

The stiff rice paper cord that is used, also called mizuhiki,[citation needed] is created by twisting lengths of rice paper together tightly, before starching them for strength and stiffness, and colouring them with mylar or thin strands of silk, or simply by painting the cord.

The art of mizuhiki dates back to Japan's Asuka period, during which an envoy from the Sui dynasty brought gifts embellished with red and white hemp strings.[2]

Model of a bonsai tree, an engagement present made from mizuhiki.

Other forms of mizuhiki include using the cord to create paper jewellery, or creating three-dimensional art with different forms used for different auspicious meanings; cranes, frogs, fish, dragons and turtles are amongst the most popular.[citation needed]

In 2019, the Modern Mizuhiki Association was founded in Tokyo.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Yajima, Yoshika (January 31, 2021). "近現代日本における水引に関する記憶の系譜" [Tracing the Memory of Mizuhiki in Modern and Contemporary Japan] (PDF). Journal of the Japan Society of Design (in Japanese). 77: 37–51. ISSN 0910-1578. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Masangkay, May (December 26, 2021). ""Mizuhiki" Japanese knot-tying giving connection to cultural heritage". Kyodo News. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Shugi bukuro Envelopes". traditionalkyoto.com. Traditional Kyoto. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
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